This week we’re highlighting one of our Walk for Life fundraisers who is going above and beyond. Check out her interview below as she shares ideas for raising money and the “why” behind her hard work.
Introducing: Lauren McClure
What team are you leading, and how did you go about asking people to be on your team?
I’m leading “Lauren’s Team” (super original, I know). A few of the ladies on my team are friends, but I actually found most of them through posting on the Mercy Hill Church Community website, so I’ve made some new friends!
How long have you been involved with the Walk for Life and GPCC?
I joined a Mercy Hill Staff team last year but wasn’t very involved in the organization itself. Then this past September, I went to GPCC for a volunteer interview to start getting involved and basically left with a nursing job! God is so good!
Now I see clients regularly, perform pregnancy tests, STD tests, options counseling, and provide ultrasounds to our clients. I also get to work alongside our awesome volunteer team on the sidewalk. I’ve pretty much gone from just saying I’m pro-life to actually doing life in the trenches with vulnerable women in crisis pregnancy. It’s been such an honor.
What motivates you to be a part of the Walk for Life?
I love women and children—born or unborn. God gave me the responsibility to care for the most vulnerable, and Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center has given me an open door to do so. I walk because I know what abortion does to the unborn, and I also walk because I’ve seen the irreversible damage that decision has on moms.
I pray for the day when abortion becomes unnecessary because the church has so embodied the hands and feet of Jesus that women know they will be fully supported and cared for.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”I walk because I know what abortion does to the unborn, and I also walk because I’ve seen the irreversible damage that decision has on moms.” quote=”I walk because I know what abortion does to the unborn, and I also walk because I’ve seen the irreversible damage that decision has on moms.”]
What are you most looking forward to about the day of the Walk?
I love seeing so many people in one place that believe in the mission of GPCC and believe in the value of human life. This work is hard and a lot of times very discouraging. Throw in what the media has to say about the unborn, and the weight of this issue can quickly become overbearing. The Walk for Life reminds me that there are others answering the call to fight for life and love these women. It reminds me that I am one small part of the church as a whole and that we serve a powerful God who can and will move mountains if we ask Him to.
What are some of your team’s strategies for raising funds this year?
We have basically just been assaulting social media asking people to give! Abortion has been in the lime light lately with all the new legislation being proposed and even passed in different states. We are seeing a lot of the church start to react simply because the news has made it impossible to ignore anymore. So we are taking advantage of that and offering people a way to join the fight for life!
One specific way I have raised funds is by designing a bumper sticker that I print from my Cricut machine at home! I’ve been offering those to anyone who donates $15 or more to the walk.
What fundraising ideas have you had the most success with so far?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the response I’ve gotten from my bumper stickers! I am currently just shy of my personal goal in supporting two moms through their unplanned pregnancies. (It takes about $1,200 to empower one mom to choose life, so I’ve almost reached $2,400!)
I have another member of my team who potentially has a big match through her employer so we are excited to see how that pans out!
What are some simple ways to get your team excited about this event and really invested in its mission?
Working at the pregnancy center, I’ve witnessed first hand the victories that come when moms choose life, and the darkness that a decision for abortion can bring. Sharing these stories with my friends and team puts into perspective the importance of the mission and why we are doing what we’re doing.
What would you say to someone who wants to be involved with this event, but is nervous about asking people for money?
The worst people can say is no! I HATE asking people for money, but people continue to surprise me with their generosity. And we have to remember who we serve. The God who raised Jesus from the dead can most certainly use YOU to raise money to further His kingdom.
When you’re not involved at GPCC, what do you enjoy doing with your “free” time?
I have a two-year-old and a one-year-old at home who keep me very busy! When bedtime comes, I like to dabble in making hand-lettered prints for my little Etsy shop. My husband and I also love making cheese fondue and playing Mastermind! I’d be lying if I didn’t say I enjoyed a good Netflix binge when I get the chance!
Let’s Do This!
Thanks, Lauren, for your encouraging example!
We have just under a month left until the Walk for Life! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so today at thepregnancynetwork.org/walk. If you need help getting started, or are looking for ideas on how to raise money, you can check out this crash course video that will walk you through everything you need to know.